South Daytona is changing. If you’ve driven down US-1 lately, you’ve probably noticed the sprawl of industrial and flex-space buildings that define the corridor. But one address keeps popping up in property records and local business chats: 2400 S Ridgewood Ave. It isn’t just some random warehouse. It’s actually a massive, multi-tenant industrial complex that serves as a microcosm for the entire Volusia County economy.
Most people just see a long concrete facade.
Honestly, it’s easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. But inside? It’s a hive. We’re talking about over 200,000 square feet of space. That’s huge for this area.
The Reality of 2400 S Ridgewood Ave Today
When you dig into the specifics of 2400 S Ridgewood Ave, you realize it’s officially known as the Big Tree Business Park. Or sometimes people just call it the Big Tree Center because it sits right near the intersection of Big Tree Road and South Ridgewood Avenue.
It’s a beast of a property.
The site is zoned for Light Industrial (LI) under South Daytona’s land use rules. This is important because it allows for a weird, eclectic mix of tenants. You’ve got everything from specialized manufacturing and HVAC contractors to fitness centers and distribution hubs. It’s the kind of place where a guy fixing high-end boat engines works next door to a massive e-commerce fulfillment operation.
The building itself dates back several decades. It has that classic mid-century industrial bones feel—concrete block construction, high ceilings, and those essential grade-level loading doors. But don’t let the age fool you. This is prime real estate because of the location. You’re minutes from I-95 and I-4. In the world of logistics, that’s basically gold.
Why Small Businesses Are Flocking Here
Space is getting expensive. In Daytona Beach and Port Orange, rent for flex space is skyrocketing. 2400 S Ridgewood Ave offers a middle ground.
It provides "incubator" spaces.
Think about a startup that’s outgrown a garage. They need 1,500 square feet. They need a bay door. They need a small office in the front to meet clients. This complex is one of the few places in South Daytona that hasn't been completely converted into luxury condos or high-end retail. It stays gritty because that’s what industry needs.
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The tenant roster is a revolving door of local utility. You’ll find companies like Coastal Direct, which handles mailing and marketing services. You might see signage for Cabinetry by Better Design or various automotive repair shops. It’s a "do-it-all" hub.
The Logistics of the Location
Logistics sound boring until you’re the one trying to move a semi-truck through a tight neighborhood. 2400 S Ridgewood Ave was built when South Ridgewood (US-1) was the main artery of Florida's east coast.
It still is, in a way.
The property covers a massive footprint, roughly 12 to 14 acres depending on which tax parcel map you’re squinting at. This allows for significant "laydown yard" space—that’s industry speak for a place to park trucks and store heavy equipment outside.
Most modern developments hate laydown yards. They want pretty landscaping. South Daytona, however, understands that if you take away the yards, you lose the blue-collar businesses that pay the taxes.
Zoning and the "Flex" Factor
What makes this address stick in the minds of real estate investors is the "flex" designation.
Flex space is basically the Swiss Army knife of real estate. You can use it for:
- Warehousing and "dead" storage.
- Showrooms for flooring or cabinetry.
- Light assembly (think making signs or small electronics).
- Professional offices that need a back-end shop.
The City of South Daytona has been pretty proactive about keeping this corridor functional. They recently went through a series of "redevelopment area" discussions. They want to beautify US-1, sure, but they can't afford to kill the golden goose that is the industrial tax base at 2400 S Ridgewood Ave.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Area
There’s this misconception that South Ridgewood is "declining."
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That’s just wrong.
It’s transitioning. If you look at the 2024 and 2025 permit filings for the area surrounding 2400 S Ridgewood Ave, you see a trend of internal reinvestment. Business owners aren't leaving; they’re upgrading their units. They’re installing better HVAC, upgrading the electrical grids to handle 3-phase power, and improving the "last-mile" delivery capabilities.
Investors like Legacy Capital or regional REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) often eye properties like this because the "replacement cost" is insane. You couldn't build 200,000 square feet of concrete block industrial space today for what this building is worth. It would cost a fortune.
The Tenant Mix and Economic Impact
If you want to know how the local economy is doing, look at the parking lot of 2400 S Ridgewood Ave on a Tuesday at 10:00 AM.
If it’s full of white vans with ladders on top, the housing market is booming. Why? Because those are the contractors, the electricians, and the plumbers who staged their day out of these units. When you see more box trucks, the e-commerce sector is winning.
Currently, it's a mix of both.
We’ve seen a surge in "lifestyle" industrial tenants too. Crossfit gyms and MMA studios love these high-ceiling spaces. They’re loud, they’re sweaty, and they don't fit in a traditional strip mall. 2400 S Ridgewood Ave gives them a home where they won't get noise complaints from a boutique clothing store next door.
The Future: Redevelopment or Reinforcement?
There is always talk about "highest and best use."
In some Florida cities, an old industrial site gets leveled for a "mixed-use" apartment complex with a coffee shop on the bottom. Is that happening here?
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Probably not anytime soon.
The demand for industrial space in Volusia County is at an all-time high. Vacancy rates for flex space in the Daytona Beach submarket have hovered around 3-5% for the last couple of years. That’s incredibly tight. If you own a unit at 2400 S Ridgewood Ave, you aren't looking to sell to a condo developer; you’re looking to raise the rent because there’s a waiting list of five businesses wanting to get in.
Navigating the Property
If you’re actually heading there, be prepared. The complex is huge and navigation can be a bit of a nightmare if you don't have a unit number. It’s subdivided into multiple buildings—some facing the street, others tucked way back toward the eastern edge of the property.
Access is primarily off Ridgewood, but the secondary exits onto the side streets are crucial for the bigger trucks. It’s a functional, working-class environment. It’s not "pretty," but it’s where the work gets done.
Practical Steps for Business Owners and Investors
If you are looking at 2400 S Ridgewood Ave as a potential spot for your business or as an investment, there are a few things you have to verify first.
First, check the power. Not every unit in these older complexes has been updated to 3-phase power. If you’re running heavy machinery or a massive server farm, you might need an upgrade that costs thousands.
Second, look at the "Common Area Maintenance" (CAM) fees. In these multi-tenant setups, the costs of roof repairs, parking lot paving, and lighting are shared. You need to know if there’s a massive "special assessment" coming up for a new roof.
Third, the zoning. Even though it’s Light Industrial, the city of South Daytona has specific rules about "outside storage." If your business involves keeping 20 wrecked cars or a mountain of lumber outside, you might run into code enforcement issues.
Next Steps for Engagement:
- Verify Zoning: Contact the South Daytona Community Development Department to ensure your specific business use is permitted.
- Inspect the Loading Height: If you use standard freight carriers, ensure the grade-level doors at the specific unit you're eyeing can actually accommodate a high-top box truck.
- Check the Fire Sprinkler Status: Older sections of these large complexes may have different fire code requirements depending on what you’re storing—hazardous materials are a big no-go without specific upgrades.
The 2400 S Ridgewood Ave complex remains a cornerstone of the local economy. It’s a bellwether for the region's industrial health, and right now, that health looks surprisingly robust. It’s not just a building; it’s an engine.